Watching the shoreline, Sage took in the magnificent cliff faces and waterfalls you could see from the ocean, barely see, but you could make them out; she frowned at that thought; if the beauty of the coastline could be seen from this far out, couldn't the village been seen by passersby? The breathtaking views made her wonder what else the naked eye couldn't see. People, other spectacular views of nature, and she now knew there was a lot to look for, something she had been unaware of before; it still surprised her how the past weeks had taught her to look beyond the surface at the core or heart of anything ... whether of people or an issue, there was always more than what was presented or said.

"We're here," Matthew said, startling her out of her thoughts, and she became aware of the slowing boat and his deep frown, "and so are they."

"Who?" Sage asked, standing and joining him at the controls.

Matthew pointed to a ship on the horizon, "The Channings think they know where the grave is and if they get …" he sighed, "… if they get the coronet first, we're in a lot of trouble."

Picking up the binoculars, Sage searched the horizon until she found the ship. She silently watched, "It doesn't look like anyone is on the deck."

"What does that matter? They could be diving," Matthew said, shaking his head, "if they see us, they will follow us."

"Do we have to dive for the grave?" Sage asked, still scanning the horizon and waters.

"No," Matthew chuckled, "not unless it's high tide," he shook his head, "one of the locals spread the story that Charlotte was buried on the horizon and pointed to the water."

Sage stared at Matthew incredulously as she lowered the binoculars, "That ... " she spluttered, trying not to laugh, " .... they could have been pointing anywhere."

"Exactly," Matthew said, grinning, "and no one would really know the direction ... it's that vague."

"Sneaky," Sage said, chuckling and shaking her head, "I don't see anything that could mean we were being followed or could be followed."

Matthew took the binoculars and looked in various directions before allowing the boat to slowly move into a nearby rock formation. Sage looked up and around, taking in everything and feeling a sense of history, contentment, and wonder. The ceiling was high, the rocks rugged, and the watermarks on the rock walls indicated that the water didn't rise to the roof.

"The water doesn't fully fill this cave," Sage whispered, "does it?"

Matthew shook his head, "Its part of the rock formation that has been here for centuries," he slowly manoeuvred the boat toward a rock ledge, "Charlotte loved coming here to swim in this cave; at low tide, there is a beach of sorts. It is said she would bring her family," he shrugged, "the second set of children born here," he shook his head at the weirdness of his words, "they apparently would come at low tide and swim, have picnics and so on. Away from watchful eyes and the hate that coloured their every waking moment. No one saw them in here."

Sage nodded, "It gave her a sense of privacy and protection," she whispered, "something to make her feel … normal and safe."

Matthew's gaze snapped to her, "You read that in a journal somewhere?"

Sage shook her head, "It's a sense I got from her personal journals … not the estate ones, the other ones," Sage sighed, "it's a sensation I resonate with and until I came here craved."

"You don't crave it any longer?" Matthew asked as he brought the boat alongside a stone ledge and looped rope around the closest rock.

"Not the way I used to, but in a fashion I still do," Sage said, taking in the place, "it's strange … "she whispered as she followed Matthew from the boat onto the ledge, "… it's as if I …" she shook her head, "… this is going to sound crazy …" Sage sighed.

"Tell me," Matthew whispered, watching every expression that crossed Sage's face.

Sage met Matthew's earnest gaze, exhaling a held breath, "I feel as though I can feel Charlotte here," Sage said, "as though she …" she frowned in frustration, "… still lives among us."

"You've never felt that before?" Matthew asked, moving toward a hidden stone stairway against the rock wall.

"When I've been reading her journals," Sage said, "I felt as though she was reading them to me, showing me her life, emotions, desperation and I think her final resolution but that I couldn't pinpoint."

"Final resolution?" Matthew asked, glancing over his shoulder at her.

"Yeah, I felt as though by the time she had reached old age, she made a decision to secure her legacy, but nothing was pointing to how Charlotte would do it," Sage said, "I sensed she worried that her journals would be found and used against her."

"Well, it was an uncertain time when she did pass," Matthew said, "or that is what history tells us."

"You are correct," Sage said, "The world was stable, but in Charlotte's life and the life of the cove, it was an uncertain time," shaking her head, Sage chuckled, "It as though there are two worlds and two history's happening at the same time. One is publically known, and anyone can read about it to know the details, if not the actual experience. Then there is the other history of this small area on the map that isn't even shown after a certain time."

"Never thought of it that way," Matthew said, "it feels very secretive."

"It does," Sage said, looking around as they came to the top of the stairs, "oh … what a beautiful place."

Sunlight came through a natural skylight in the ceiling, and a large open rock ledge formed a room high above the water; the floor was sandy, creating the feeling as though you were walking on a beach while the lapping waves were heard below you. A rock crevice formed places where someone could sit and use another as a tabletop. The cry of the gull overhead made it a mystical haven.

"No wonder she loved it here," Sage whispered, walking around the area and suddenly turning to Matthew, "she asked to be buried here, didn't she?"

Matthew smiled and nodded, "Correct."

"With the Magi's Coronet," Sage said, looking around and frowning, "there is another section to this …" Sage moved toward a rock wall, "… the sand it goes under here." Running her hand over the rocks, Sage felt an irregularity. "What is this?"

"Sage," Matthew called, drawing her attention and waiting until she met his gaze, "if you continue now and find the item everyone seeks, there will be no turning back."

Sage turned toward him, "What do you mean?"

"Once the … item has been found," Matthew said, "retrieved and returned to the cove …" he slowly moved toward her, "… events will happen … quickly, and you need to be ready for it."

"How will anyone know the item is returned to the cove?" Sage asked, her gaze focused and alert.

"The item is the key to the success of the cove," Matthew said, "it resonates with the surroundings and people and is the entry requirement to the islands."

"Islands," Sage said, a pucker forming between her brow, "you mean the protection of the people finding refuge there."

"I mean …" Matthew inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly, "the protection and rule of the cove and the islands. With all that comes with receiving Charlotte's birthright and responsibilities."

"I don't know what her responsibilities are," Sage said, "how am I supposed to take them on if I don't know what they are?"

"You will," Matthew said quietly, "you will know and understand what you need to do."

"Matthew, how do you know?" Sage asked, moving toward him.

"It's your name," Matthew said, "the true line of Charlotte all know the prophecy …" he smiled as she frowned, "… all will be revealed."

"Sounds super mystical ..." she sighed, "... okay, what do I have to do?" Sage asked.

"Exactly what you were doing," Matthew said, "I'm with you all the way … but you need to do the work."

"With me all the ...way …" Sage repeated, shaking her head as she ran her hand over the rock surface, finding the place that had felt strange. Sage played around with the spot, pushing, pulling and pressing. Nothing happened, and she chuckled, "Well, I'm off to a good start; that spot does nothing," she sighed, grazing her fingers over the place, "but it feels like little waves formed in the stones," closing her eyes she allowed herself to feel the area and embrace the sensations it brought to the foreground, "this reminds me of an artists brush strokes in a painting of waves…" opening her eyes she gently brushed the area as though she was painting. A click was heard on their right, and a section of the wall dislodged in a section of the main wall.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Sage looked at Matthew, exhaling heavily, "I wasn't expecting that," Sage said, slowly moving toward the wall section, "I wonder if it moves at all."

Sage gently tugged; it moved slightly inward but refused to go any further. Matthew stepped forward and tried to pull it outwards, but it refused to budge.

"I think it goes inward," he said, "try pushing it."

Sage pushed against the stone doorway, and it moved a little, but she wasn't strong enough to shift it all the way in alone. Glancing at Matthew and nodding toward the door, she waited until he joined her, and silently, they pushed together, slowly opening the door wide enough for them to enter.

Sage stepped into the chamber, and small openings in the walls reminded Sage of Swiss cheese. These openings allowed the light to sprinkle its dim sparkle around the room. The floor was as sandy as the other side, "Look at this .." she whispered, moving forward to a succession of stone ledges, some broad and others only wide enough to sit on; they protruded jaggedly from the wall, "… this is wonderful ... they form a table and chair."

Fascinated, Sage slowly moved toward it, running her fingers over the stone, removing some of the sand that time and sea winds blew onto the surface. Frowning, Sage slowly dusted the surface clean, finding a chiselled message underneath.

"The world you knew is not the truth ... to learn your way, you must follow your heart, your breath and your soul," Sage whispered, "but that isn't…"

Matthew looked at the surface, "That's not English."

"No," Sage said, shaking her head, "it isn't…"

"But you read it in English," Matthew said, frowning, "Sage … what language is that?"

"It's a Celtic language," Sage said, "I studied them on a whim years ago," she frowned, "I had to find people to be able to talk to so I could practise and master it, and that wasn't easy."

"Okay," Matthew said, "so … which Celtic language?"

"The top two lines are Irish, and the bottom two are Gaelic," Sage whispered, "but they are saying the same thing."

"Why both?" Matthew asked.

Sage sighed as Matthew's question churned in her head, "Of course," she whispered, "the answer to that, Matthew is found in the origin of both surnames," Sage said, looking around the space, "Charlotte must have been desperate for a normal life if she found refuge in here." Slowly moving around the space, Sage took in everything she could by the dim light, "Charlotte meant the retrieval of the Coronet to be a memorable visit for whoever tried to retrieve it."

"Why do you say that?" Matthew asked.

"Looking at these markings on the wall here," Sage said, tracing the engravings on the wall and chuckling, "if someone had heard all the stories, they would be apprehensive right now."

Matthew stopped beside her, frowning as he took in all the cravings, "Why aren't you worried?"

"I read her journals, and she showed me her heart," Sage whispered, "Charlotte was a gentle, loving soul. She would never allow such destruction of people or a beautiful place like this."

"Are you sure?" Matthew asked.

"Reasonably certain," Sage whispered, "a woman in the throws of temper can decide to do anything at the last minute," she wandered on, "but I don't think Charlotte was in a temper. I get the feeling she knew more than anyone knew, understood more than anyone understood and planned to keep everything she knew alive and secret until everything was in line."

"What are you saying?" Matthew asked.

"Charlotte was a brilliant woman who was raised as a man when women were seen as property and inferior," Sage said, tracing the wall, "her father must have taught her more than was usually expected or permitted. A bright man himself."

Stopping, Sage looked where her fingers had found the end of the engraved line wavering almost unseen in the rock face. Brushing her hand over the area, she felt its smoothness with a small section of rough rock face.

"Oh, that feels like …" squinting, she couldn't make it out. On a whim, Sage closed her eyes and let her imagination wander, "… ingenious …" she whispered, "… this feels like a cluster of islands …" gentle she found the peak and pressed one finger down; the strange ridge disappeared, and a small compartment appeared next to it, holding a stack of leather bound journals wrapped in leather and a small leather pouch tied closed. Taking them carefully from hiding, Sage opened the top journal, finding more old Irish and Gaelic in a bold, masculine hand. Sage wanted to sit and take in everything he said on these well-preserved ancient pages, but her attention was drawn to a deep, large, long stone protruding from the nearby wall. Slowly moving toward it, Sage took in the intricate design, starting on the top as the chiselling spread over the top surface and flowing down the side. In between the design, Charlotte's name could be found dotted between the design.

"Charlotte," she whispered, moving toward the stone protrusion, "what is that?"

On the top, Sage found a narrow ledge glistening in the light from the sparkling sun. She laid her hand on the ledge, carefully pulling up a door-like opening; Sage found a long compartment the length of a body. Exhaling thankfully that she was not faced with Charlotte's skeleton, Sage lifted the lid higher.

"Oh, here is the …" Sage's words trailed off before continuing in a whisper, "… here lies Charlotte Rosemary Sage Mary Annabella Cooper-Channing ..." Sage inhaled sharply, "... may she rest in peace until another holding her names fulfils her purpose."

"What purpose is that?" Matthew asked.

"I …" Sage paused as she noticed a small object lying just above the inscription, "… I may know what that purpose was …" she said absently, tracing the outline above the words, "… the Magi's Coronet."

"Where?" Mattew asked.

"Just above the inscription," Sage whispered, "there …" she pointed, but Matthew shook his head, "Huh … you don't see it."

"Do you hold her all her names?" Matthew asked, meeting Sage's intensely focused gaze.

"I think I do," Sage whispered, "but not in the same order."

"Are you sure?" Matthew asked.

"Yes," Sage chuckled, meeting Matthews's questioningly sceptical gaze, "you want me to say my names just to be sure." Matthew nodded, cocking his head as he waited, "Fine if it will make you happy. Here goes …" Sage inhaled, wanting enough air to get it out without another breath, "…. Sage Caroline Mary Annabella Rosemary Cooper-Channing."

"Oh, almost," Mattew said, "you have Caroline, not Charlotte."

"True, but I've been doing research," Sage whispered, "Caroline is a derivate of Charlotte, so if I replace the names, my name is Sage Charlotte Mary Annabella Rosemary Cooper-Channing."

Both gasped as a small section near the floor moved. Bending down, Sage brushed the sand away, finding a recess in the stone. Kneeling, she carefully felt inside the recess, brushing out sand until her finger brushed against something long and hard, meaning it could be metal.

"What is there?" Matthew asked.

"Something ... hard," Sage said, frowning as she levered the item from the recess, "it's been there a long time."

Pulling a long, stiff object wrapped in leather into sight, Sage stood, placing it on top of the journals before looking at Matthew and smiling.

"The secret is with Charlotte," she whispered, "we have a key."

"Are you sure? If it is, to where?" Matthew asked, watching Sage unwrap it, "Keys like that are used all over the cove."

Sage stared at the ornate object, "Someone made this a gorgeous key."

"Yes, indeed," Matthew whispered, "but where does it fit."

Sage picked it up, looking at the design at the top, "Does that look like a cloud or a star?"

Matthew looked at where Sage stared, shrugging, "It looks like a metal swirl."

Glancing at him, Sage chuckled, "A swirl?"

Shrugging, Matthew blushed a little before looking around, "I don't see anywhere else in here the Coronet could be kept."

Bundling up her findings, Sage carefully placed everything in her bag; for once, she was grateful for the oversized item. Looking around, she smiled, "Who said it was here?"

"Well ... no one," Matthew said, "it's part of the legend."

"Huh, perhaps another redirect," Sage whispered as she headed out of the secret room, waiting as Matthew closed everything behind them, and the pair moved toward the stairs.

Sage stopped at the bottom, on the last stone stair, as foreboding suddenly rose; it felt like a gut punch, sudden, painful and sharp. Matthew stopped looking back at her concern in his gaze.

"Sage, are you okay?" he whispered, approaching her.

"Have you ever seen any of those war movies where the hero is about to be caught by the other side?" Sage asked, shaking her head when Matthew frowned. "Before the moment of capture or escape, the audience gets a sense of foreboding and danger."

"Okay," Matthew said, checking his watch and sighing, "you have that feeling now?"

"More like one of extreme danger," Sage said, "a sense of leaving here and walking into a trap sense of danger."

"Ah, understand," Matthew said, glancing at his watch again, "but we have one thing the enemy doesn't."

"What is that?" Sage asked.

"The temperature has changed since we've been in here," Matthew said, "I'm fairly certain we'll have a sea mist rolling through here soon, if not already."

"Shall we take our chances?" Sage asked.

"Let's try it," Matthew said as they climbed into the boat and released the mooring rope.

"The water is higher," Sage whispered, "is that why you keep looking at your watch?"

"That and I'm sure Simon will be looking for me," Matthew said, sighing, "my boat tours aren't usually this long. The eyes that spy will know something is different."

"If there are questions," Sage said, "tell them I convinced you to show me more than the time allowed, so we ran over."

"Why would I do that?" Matthew asked as the vessel slowly moved through the cave's opening.

"I'm a lonely, single woman who has been couped up inside working for so long," Sage fluttered her eyelids at him, making Matthew laugh, "I spoke to your chivalrous side to show me more than time would allow, and you being the knight of old at heart agreed."

Chuckling, Matthew slowed as they came to the entrance, "Just as I thought … sea mist," he nodded, "we may be safe to get home, but I'm going to need you to sit on the boat floor?"

"Why?" Sage asked.

"We're not going home the same way," Matthew said, "and I need to be seen alone."

"Ohhhh, pirates and spies," Sage chuckled as she sank to the boat floor, "take me home."

Nodding, Matthew slowly moved into the mist, trusting generations of teachings and his instinct to get them through the treacherous waters and past the waiting enemy on the other side of the fog.